Elbasan

Elbasan (elbäsän') [key]or Elbasani (elbäsä'nē) [key], town (1989 pop. 80,650), capital of Elbasan dist., central Albania, on the Shkumbin River. The city is also a commercial center producing steel, chrome, cement, timber products and soap. Coal and iron ore are mined nearby. Much of the agricultural land nearby has been severely contaminated by pollution from local industries. Elbasan is linked by railroad with the port of Durrës. Known as Scampa in ancient times, it is sometimes identified with Albanopolis, the ancient capital (c.A.D. 130) of the Albanians.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print
  • Email
  • Bookmark
    • Add bookmark
    • Add to del.icio.us
    • Digg It!
    • Add to Reddit